Special Education, MA or M Ed (Visual Impairment)
Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree or Master of Education (M.Ed.) Degree in Special Education with a Specialization in Visual Impairment

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Overview
Admissions and Requirements
Courses You’ll Take
Tuition & Fees
Program Overview
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
A Bachelor's degree
2.5 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
Taken the GRE
Taken the TOEFL or IELTS
(Only required if English is not your native language)
A written personal statement
3 letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from all previous schools
NOTE: If you reside in state(s) KY contact a program adviser before applying.
To apply to this program:
- Complete and submit the online application for Graduate Studies
- Pay $50 application fees
- Submit separate application to Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders
Courses You’ll Take
Course Information
In addition to the required courses listed here students will also choose, in consultation with their adviser: three credit hours elective and one research course.
Core Courses
Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
---|---|---|
SPED 851 | Intermediate Braille Codes and Instructional Material Adaptations (Summer) | 3 |
Prereq: SPED *846, *847, and *849
Advanced skills in Nemeth (mathematics code) and/or Literary code. Basic activities in braille formatting, foreign language, music and identification of braille technology devices and resources. | ||
SPED 882 | Instruction for Students with Severe Disabilities | 3 |
Lec 3. Prereq: SPED *881 for the Severely/Multihandicapped endorsement program or SPED *862 for Preschool Handicapped
endorsement program; and permission. Majors in severe disabilities must parallel with SPED 896P (1 cr).
SPED *882 requires observations in schools and applied assignments.
Selection, design, and implementation of best practice instruction for students with severe disabilities, multiple disabilities, or
deaf-blindness. | ||
SPED 847 | Introduction to Eye Anatomy of Students | 3 |
Prereq: SPED *846 or permission
Structure and function of the visual system, conditions that effect visual ability, and the functional and environmental implications of low vision. Strategies for enhancing visual ability in children with visual impairments and children who have additional disabilities. | ||
SPED 853 | Orientation & Mobility Skills (Summer) | 3 |
Prereq: SPED *846, *847, *849, *851, and *852
Theory and applied practice in basic orientation and mobility techniques for use with students with visual impairments. Practical methods for work in concept development, orientation skills, travel skills and techniques, personal safety and independent travel. Needs of specific populations such as people with low vision and individuals with additional disabilities. Vision simulators and occluders. An introduction to the history and development of the profession. | ||
SPED 852 | Instructional Methods for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments | 3 |
Methods and materials for educating children who are totally blind or have low vision, including students with multiple impairments. Practical skills in selecting, designing, and/or modifying materials for content area subjects: mathematics, science, social studies, creative arts, foreign language and other subjects. | ||
SPED 849 | Braille Codes and Material Adaptations | 3 |
Basic skills in literary Braille transcription and codes. Acquire competence in reading and writing Braille and using the Perkins braillewriter and slate/stylus. | ||
SPED 872 | Psychology and Sociology of Deafness | 3 |
Brief overview of education of the hearing impaired including history of, professional roles in, and educational programming within this field. Overview of social/psychological theories as related to the hearing impaired. Patterns of social/emotional development, psychological characteristics, issues of the family stress and social adaptation and discussion of counseling techniques. | ||
SPED 960 | Family and School Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
Prereq: Professional experience or completion of one practicum and/or field experience with young children (birth to age 5) or other individuals ages 5 to 21 years who have disabilities. Functions and interactions of both family and education systems. Impact of having a child with a disability on the normal and stressed family system. Promote family-professional partnerships in assessment and intervention for the child and/or student with an IFSP/IEP. Communication skills are reviewed and practiced for effective teaming among educators and for interviewing, consulting, collaborating and coaching with family members and other community team members. | ||
SPED 852A | Applied Technology Methods (Summer) | 1 |
Prereq: SPED 846 and 847, or equivalents
This course provides theory and practical experience in the selection and use of technology for persons with visual impairments. Key knowledge and skills covered include: technology assessments, data collection, equipment features, sources of equipment, funding sources, write technology instructional plans, and demonstrate skills to use equipment. Course sessions include lecture and practice of adapted equipment. (distance and on-site ) | ||
SPED 897V | Student Teaching: VI, P-6 & 7-12 (Summer) | 1 - 9 |
Prereq: Permission Laboratory and teaching experience in visual impairments. | ||
SPED 846 | Foundations of Visual Impairments | 3 |
Prereq: Admission to visually impaired program; hold or concurrently earn subject/field endorsement
Current educational programs and services for children with visual impairments, as well as children with multiple disabilities. History of educational services, developmental characteristics, psycho-social aspects, history of legislation, and grade I Braille. |
Tuition & Fees
Nebraska Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $357.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $409.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1071.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1227.75
Out of State Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $750.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $802.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $2250.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $2406.75
About Faculty
University of Nebraska online courses are taught by expert faculty who embody the qualities resulting from research experience and professional/field experience. Students learn from faculty with a variety of backgrounds, many of whom are published researchers in their fields. NU faculty who teach online do so in a way that optimizes learning within the online modality and because technology enables students to access education they may otherwise may not be able to pursue.
Application Deadlines
- Fall SemesterJan 15